Teaching Your Kids about Going Green

As adults, we understand that there are some things that we do that can hurt the environment, and we try hard to fix it, or to give back to the environment. One thing we can do is teach our kids about the environment and ways to go green. There are plenty of activities you can do with your children to teach them about going green and helping the environment.

Start a Family Garden

Starting a family garden is a great way to get your children out of the house and learning about nature. You will be able to teach your kids the importance of growing organic food without pesticides or hormones. Set up a corner of your backyard as your family garden and have each child plant a couple vegetable, fruit, and herb seeds. You can then either set up a watering schedule so that your kids can keep it as a hands-on project, or you can set up an irrigation system with sprinklers. They will be able to learn about how different nutrients in the soil help plants grow, and even some science behind the process. Another way to show kinds about being green even while you are out and about is going to the local farmer’s market and buy organic goods by local farmers. This could be a weekly biking trip that you and your family take.

A Family That Recycles Together, Stays Together

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to teach your kids about helping the environment. Set up recycle bins for different recyclable goods like paper, plastic, and glass. Doing so will help teach your children what items can be recycled, which ones are biodegradable and what items can be reused for other things around the house. Have your kids create their own Recycle Craft Box. In this box they can put things like egg cartons, soda bottles or cans, or anything else they may want to use the next time they are feeling crafty. This will not only teach your children about recycling, but also about reusing. Remember when it comes to recycling Of course, children also learn by example, so make sure that you and the rest of the family keep up with their part and recycle and reuse as well.

Donate Old Clothes and Toys

Teaching your children to donate items they no longer use not only helps them go green, but it helps them learn how to do a good deed and be generous to their fellow man. At the beginning of each new season, have your kids go through their clothes that have been put away from the last season. Have them create a pile for any clothes or shoes that either doesn’t fit or they don’t want, and then a pile for the rest. Do the same with toys. Then when you have gone through everything, go to your local charity, Goodwill to donate the items. This helps you kids learn to give to those who need it and not throwing away things they simply don’t want or can’t use anymore.

Turn Off and Unplug

Turning off lights and electronics as well as turning off water when it isn’t in use can show your children how to conserve energy and water. Get in the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room and unplugging electronics from the wall since they still use electricity while plugged in, even though they are turned off. Something else you can do is switch out your lights for energy efficient light bulbs. This will help reduce your electric bill and you can teach your kids about the difference between the types of light bulbs. You can also try to teach your children about water conservation by getting them to turn the water off while brushing their teeth, or even have the water off in the shower while they shampoo and use the soap.

[About the author: Emmalee Smith graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in interior designs. After working as an interior designer, she decided to start helping others with their projects by writing for a DIY blog. She likes to teach how to do simple DIY projects and give tips for decorating. Emmalee enjoys photography and learning about the latest trends in home renovations and design. Image: Aunt Owwee]